NASHVILLE — The Tampa Bay Lightning stated having so lots of its followers within the crowd at Nissan Stadium in Nashville had a big impact of their Stadium Collection win over the Predators.
Lightning’s captain Stephen Stamkos stated after their 3-2 win over Nashville on Saturday night time.
The sport’s official attendance was 68,619 followers, which the Nationwide Hockey League stated was a sale. Giant elements of that crowd had been made up of Lightning followers, desirous to see their group play the franchise’s first-ever out of doors sport. They chanted on the sphere and cheered within the stands – particularly after targets scored by Brayden Level, Nikita Kucherov and Stamkos, who gained the match.
“It was unbelievable,” stated coach John Cooper. “I at all times needed to flip round after we scored as a result of it was a sea of blue behind us.”
“He was superb,” stated striker Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. “Personally, I wasn’t anticipating a lot from the Lightning followers as a result of we had been away from dwelling. I respect that. We undoubtedly tried to play tougher as a result of we knew they had been there.” “when [Brayden Point] A objective was scored, I felt there was a bit of extra silence after which got here the jubilation of our individuals. It was like, “Right here we go, we’re dwelling now.”
Lightning followers had been current round Nashville on Friday and Saturday. “We had been touched to see so many individuals strolling out, throughout our resort and all the way in which on Broadway. After we went out and noticed so many Lightning followers, we had been undoubtedly motivated,” Level stated.
Predators coach John Hines stated he wasn’t stunned there have been so many Tampa Bay followers on the sport as a result of Nashville is a vacation spot metropolis.
“Being a Tennessee Titans fan, you see the opposing group’s shirts throughout city,” he stated. “I believe it is a praise to Nashville as a result of I believe it is a spot that individuals wish to come to.”
Whether or not it was a vacation spot or an occasion that introduced them to Nashville, Lightning stated their followers made a distinction.
“I felt like there have been extra Tampa followers than Nashville followers,” stated ahead Pat Maron. “I hope you guys take pleasure in. I do know you froze your butts. I hope you could have a few chilly beers to heat your self.”
